Foundry mold with sectional match plates of different sizes



July 14, 1959 E BUHRER 2,894,299

FOUNDRY MOLD WITH SECTIONAL MATCH PLATES OF DIFFERENT SIZES Filed Jan.- 20, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. l

July 14, 1959 E. BUHRER 2,894,299

Y FouNnRY MOLD WITH sEcTroNAL MATCH PLATES OF' DIFFERENT SIZES Filed Jan. 20, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 44 f5 a 16 i \\42 Fig. 7

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FouNnRY MOLD WITH SECTIONAL MATCH Y PLATES 0F DIFFERENT sIzEs Filed Jan. 20, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 #9.8 Fig.9 Fig. fo

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E. BUHRER ToUNnRY MOLD WITH sEcTToNAL MATCH `PLATES oF DIFFERENT srzgv Filed Jan. 20, 1955 4 Smets-sheet 4 V//////A/ D "0 57 97 Immun:

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PLATES or DIFFERENT sIzEs .Erwin Bhrer, Schaffhausen, Switzerland .Application VJanuary 20, 19.55, .Serial`No. 483,137

Claimsprioi-ity, application Switzerland June 112, 19"*54 3- (Tllai'ms.` (CIL` 22-1'57.)

'The invention relates-'to means lfo'rprodueingfrr'iolds for foundry purposes.

"It i'san 'objectief 4the present invention to provide means facilitating the preparation of molds from a plurality of pattern "plates within the i confines ofi a single pattern molding flask .regardless of `@he `materials lof' whichV th'e 'patternplaftes are fabricated.

ltisfanother object of 4the presentinventionfto provide lmeansvconducive tofan efficient moldbox structurewhich fpermitslthepreparation of molds `from numerous match platesfin` a single `operation and which further permits variation in the number, lasv well as o-flthefsizeswoftlte 'match` pattern plates for Veachmolding operation, 'said ma'tclrl pattern plates being made of dilerentwmaterials, -i` desired? Still another-objectof thelpresent '.inventionfis toprovideme'ans capable of greatly` simplifying;` the simultaneous-preparation rif-molds from numerou's-Imatchpab :tern plates: and thus substantially increasing- `the attainratelofpreparati'on of said molds.

l fur-therl object oflthe present inventionis: t'opro'- 'vid'effm'eans 'leading to highly .improved 4andextremely eiiicient :multi-.element mold preparing devices. which. are feasilyimanipulatable .during dismantling to permit changes :inlt'he number "ofnmateh plates to be: employed ras` wellra's 'durin'gwireassembly 'subsequent to themakingpf such changes.

itl-'is still a: further object `of` the. .present invention to providerrlmeans aiordin'g sturdy, yet .readily releasable, '.resilient.y connections `between thermolding. 4iiask and t `the nratdhplatersupporting .means `of` a Vmold preparing device, whereby rearrangement of the pattern plates ofrsaid device-can be rcarried out' with expenditures of "tiinevand energy.

YetvanotherI object fof the present invention is to ,provide mean's. presenting .novel 4and simplied mold. preparing devices wherein the pattern or patterns "onthe match `pltesware rigidly supported and precisely .located during x .formation of the molds but may be vibratedthereafter tocfacilitatememoval `ofviinished molds from said pattern plates:

It `is still. another object of. thepresent invention t'o provide means. forming mold preparing devices which are 'inexpensively and rapidly manufacturedandwhich eliminate anyneed for a multiplicity of machines.: to Aprepare molds from a plurality of individual patterns on match plates of. diiierent characteristics.

Various `constructions-of mold preparing deviceszhave ICC The ,primary purpose of the present invention, consequently, is to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages as well as to eliminate any deciencies inherent `in prior known devices for preparing molds and not 'specilically enumerated above.

These and other objects `of the invention will become.

further apparent from the .following detailed description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, showing preferred embodiments of the invention.

vIn the drawings:

Fig. 1. is a vertical sectional view of a mold preparing device embodying the invention taken along line I`-I in Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of said device;

Fig. 3 is a partial. sectional view off the device taken lalong Aline III--III in Fig. 2, the vibrator being omitted;

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view ofthe device 'taken alongfline IV-IV in Fig. 2;

Fig.Y 5"`i's `a partial sectional view of the device taken along line V--V in Fig. 2; l

Fig. 6 is apartial sectional View of the device taken along'line'VI-VI in Fig. 2, the vibrator being omitted;

Fig. 7is a partial sectionalview of the device taken along the line VII- VII in Fig. 2 and illustrating the vibrator;

Figs; 8`, 9`and -10 schematically illustrate various ways in which the pattern plate arrangement of the device maybe varied;

Fig. 1l` is a partially sectional front View 'of means for attaching a-connecting frame as used with the invention to the pattern table; y Y

Fig: 1:2"is`a sectional viewtaken along the line XII-XII of Fig. 11;

Fig: 1`3iis Va sectional view of a modiiication of attaching means betweenthe frame `and the pattern table;

Figure llis a sectional View of `a further modiiication oi attaching means between the frame and the pattern table" taken along the line XIV-XIV of Fig. 15; Vand Fig. 15` is a sectional View of the structure ofFig. 14 taken Valong the line XV-XV in Fig. 14.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2', 'there'is shown support means or table 1 for a match plate 'on which' table is located an intermediate support 2 carrying a match plate 3 with models or patterns 4 and 5 surrounded by rim` portions. A further intermediate support '6, in which a suitable heating device 7 is mounted, andon which a match plate 8 provided with a pattern 9 surrounded by rimportions is located, is also carried by table'l'. Match plates 10 and 11 are associatedwith table 1` in a similar manner. In somewhat modified fashion, a plaster plate 12 which supports a model13 is mounted on a special intermediate member or base p1ate14 which in turn is attached to part l5 of table 1. Plaster plate 12 may, of course, be retained directly by table'l, part 15 without the use of base plate 14.

'Twobolts 34, which are mounted in table 1, serve to center and accurately locate support 2 as well as the two bolts 35 `in the support 2 and pattern plate 3. In a siinilarmann'er, bolts 36, 37 and 38 cooperate with support 6' and match plate 8. The intermediate means constituted by the various plate-supports are thus removably secured :tothe mold table l.

A closed frame 16 `has attached thereto ledges. 17 by 'meanscfbolts or screws18. Frame 16 andledge's 17 are secured" against relative displacement by means vo'f pins 19t Frame 16is` mounted by means of ledges 17 directlyon the pattern carrying match plates 3,58, 10, 121; and 12," said ledges partially overlying the rim portions of"said\match plates. Secured in frame 16 lby means of nut `251 is la round dowel pin 20, and a further dowelv pin 22. provided4 with ilatsurfac'es islsecured in frame 16`by :means of nutiz. l l

l 'Frame 16 is attached to table 1, or alternatively to base support of plate 14, by means of a plurality of" threaded bolts 24 and nuts 25 spaced around the periphery of the frame. In case baseI support 14 is used `the "latter, must, of course, be rigidly attached by means of yscrew bolts 26 or like fasteners to table 1. Supported 'on ledges 17 and thereby on frame 16 is a molding flask '27, the dowel openings of which in conjunction with dowel pins 20 and 22 fix the location of the molding flask.

j As may be seen in Figs. l, 2, and 3, a ledge 28 is provided which is fixed in and transversely of frame'16 by means of bevel shoulders 29 and screws '30. In' like `manner, a ledge 31 (Fig. 2) is fixedlyv mounted between Vframe 16 and ledge 28. A further ledge 32 (see Figs'l, 2, and 4) is loosely mounted on match plates 3 and 8 and is held in place by the bevel shoulders on ledges 17 and 31. Likewise, ledge 33 is loosely vsupported between jmatch plates and 11 and held in place by means of ledges 17 and 31. The above enumerated clamping ledges effectively divide frame 16 into a plurality of compartments or sections corresponding in number to 'the number of match plates employed. y

The construction of frame 16 and ledges 17 is shown zin somewhat greater detail in Fig. 5. It may be seen that ledges 17 have a surface'40 in contact with a corresponding surface on pattern plate 41, while frame'16 and match plate support 42 are spaced from one another. rThe respective surfaces 43 should be'accurately constructed within the factory-specified tolerance limits to ensure that surface 40, when it rests on the cooperating surface of plate 41, is in complete contact with the latter surface. As may be seen in Fig. 5, surfaces 43 vfix the horizontal location of plate 41 relative to ledge 17 and dowel pin 49, while bolt 44 has a certain amountof play 'in all directions in pattern plate 41. e .A

p In order to eliminate the need for manufacturing surfaces 43 on ledge 17 as well as on plate 41 with-a great degree of precision, which is ordinarily very difficult to attain, the construction may be as shown in Fig. 6. fIn this modification, match plate 45 is provided withV a yrectangular abutment surface 46 corresponding to a rectangular abutment surface 47 on ledges 17 to fix the horizontal location of the plate relative to dowel pin 48. In order to facilitate mounting of frame 16 and ledges 17 on any match plate, abutment or guidev surface 47 on ledges 17 is partially inclined to the horizontal, as shown at 50. As may be seen in Fig. l, the upper surface of ledges 17 may coincide with the upper surfaces of the various'match plates 3, 8, 12, 10, 11, and of `ledges k28 and 31 as well as of detachable ledges 32 and 33. In Figs. 5 and 6 the upper surface of ledges 17 is somewhat 'higher than the upper surfaces of the match plates 41 land 45 and the other parts of the apparatus.

Mounted on frame 16 are two vibrators 51 and 52 (Fig. 2)`of substantially similar construction. As may be seen in Fig. 7, each vibrator includes a reciprocable piston 53 provided with spaced annular grooves, a spring l54, an air inlet conduit 55, a closure plate 56, the spring Lbeing mounted between said plate and the piston,` and suitable air exit openings in the body of the vibrator. bInasmuch as these vibrators are conventional, their operahtion Will not be further described. The function of these `vibrators, as will be more fully explained below, is to facilitate removal of finished molds from the device.

Referring now to Figs. 8, 9, and 10, it may be seen .how the mold preparing device of the present invention in Fig. 8 there are schematically shown two match plates 457 and 58 between which a crosspiece 59 is loosely mount- .ed and xedly supported by a frame 60. In Fig. 9, three n said trame. Fig. 10 shows schematically .s'ixzrnatch :may be modified for any number of match plates. Thus,

, 4 v plates 67 to 72 and loose ledges 73, 74, and 75 which rest on"respectivematchv plates andare fixedly held by means of a frame 76 and ledges 77 and 78 rigidly mounted in the frame. From Figs. 8 to 10 it may be readily inferred that the device of the present invention may be adapted to operation with any desired number of pattern carrying match plates merely by varying the number and distribution of the ledges to thereby vary the number of match plate compartments or sections formed within the frame.

In lieu of means 24, 25 for holding frame 16 to pattern table 1, the modified constructions illustrated in Figs. 11 to 15 may be employed. Referring first more particularly to Figs. 1l and 12, there is illustrated a resilient or elastic clamp 79 having one end portion inserted in a bushing 80 housed in table 1 and another end portion hooked onto a projection 81 of frame 16, whereby frame -16 iscontinually biased toward table 1 by virtue ofthe tension of the clamp. Such means for retaining frame 16 on table 1, or alternatively on base plate 14, has bee found to be extremely eicient in use. y

In Figs. 11 and 12 there is further illustrated in dotted lines a key or operating member 82 having a cam end 8,3 inserted in clamp 79. Key 82 can be'rotated in clamp 79 lin the direction of arrow 84 so as to distend theclamp and permit its removal from bushing 80 and projection 81. The number of clamps 79 which are employed to lconnect frame 16 to table 1 (or base support 14) will depend on the size of the frame 16.

A vfurther modification of this structure is illustrated ,in Fig. 13. Frame 16, provided with an abutment ledge 85, is connected to table 1 through lever 86 connected by -means of pin 88 to one leg of a bell-crank lever 87, the latter bein-g rotatably mounted on pin 89 'and having its other end pivotally connected to piston rod 90 by means of -pin 91. Springs 92 and 93 pressing against piston 94 hold the frame 16 through the intermediary of the aforementioned parts to molding table 1. In order to release this elastic connection, compressed air'may be admitted to cylinder 96 by means of conduit 95 so as to move piston 94 in such a manner as to compress springs 92 and 93. By providing a common air inlet in table` 1 it is then possible to release all of the various frame clamping devices simultaneously.

Still a further modification of theclamping device is illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15. Each clamping device. includes a piston 97 which is connected by means of a yoke 98 to a clamping element 99 suspended from vthe yoke by means of a pin or bolt 100. Clamping element 99is .provided with an eye portion 101 which fits over a bolt 102 on table 1. Piston 97 is normally urged upwards by lBelleville .Washers or other suitable spring elementsl 103 so as to maintain eye portion 101 in contact with bolt 102 to thereby clamp frame 16 to table 1.

If screw 104 is rotated in one direction, then piston 105 will be moved to the right in Fig. 14 against the grease filling 1.06 to press the same through channels or conduits 107, 108 and 109 etc. into the respective cylinders 1 10. In this manner, the various pistons 97 are pressed downwardlyagainst the force of spring washers 103. Clamp- Ving elements 99 are thereby loosened from bolts 102 and projections 111 come in contact with stops 112 connected to frame 16. Consequently, each element 99, i.e., eye portion101, is pivoted into the position 113 illustrated fi'n dotted lines inV Fig. l5, while at the same time each pin 114 is pressed by projection 111 into the bore in which it is housed and against the force of spring 115. In this 'manner frame 16 is released and may be removed.

If screw 104 is now turned in the opposite direction, then spring washers 103 press piston 97 upwardly and thereby expel the grease from cylinders 110. Yokes 98 are moved upwardly and the force of springs 115 acting Athrough pins 114 on projections 111 pivot eye portions -101.back into their normal positions, an example of which ngi-f thus' once-more in 4contact with-bolts l102--and springWashp 03 againresiliently-'clamp-franiefdto tabled;`

``It is;` ofcourse, possibleto actuatepiston 105 by means -oficompressed air nor other-presure'iiuid ratherfthan'wby `scr'ew104so as to -operate thisclampingdevicer` In'such ajjcase, manualoperation ofthe devices is eimi-nated. Should'frame lobe extremely heavylitis advantageous `to provide an arrangementbymeans idf-which frame-.16, when released from table` 1, may 'tbe vertically raised and then swung away therefromwhile match plates are exchanged, after "which traine A116 may` be returned to its operative" position Iby this ai'iangenierit.l

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1gfor` example, .matchj plate 3 lis madeyoftwood and is provided with `yvvoodenpatterns4. and 5 I.pattern plates 8, 10, and 11 are made of metal and are,` providedwith metallic patterns or models 9, 116 and 117 (Figi 2) threadedly attached thereto and having located therebeneath heating devices 7, and match plate 12 is a plaster filled box with a model 13 cemented therein. It is, therefore, evident that the present invention permits combination of match plates carrying patterns of diierent sizes, shapes, and materials into a unitary mold forming device. By virtue of the fact that dowel pins 20 and 22 are mounted directly in frame 16, location of the various match plates in a horizontal plane with a high and constant degree of accuracy and precision is made possible. Since the thicknesses of the various match plates and the heights of the various plate supports may be accurately manufactured, also the elevation of the individual match plates above the mold table can be guaranteed.

I-t is possible by locating the upper surfaces of the match plates slightly lower than the upper surfaces of ledges 17 to obtain a mold half with a face protruding somewhat beyond the edge of the molding flask, which fact contributes to a more intimate joint between said mold half and a complementary mold half having a recessed surface substantially in the plane of separation upon assembly of -said portions into a complete mold. By virtue of the fact that vibrators 51 and 52 are mounted directly in frame 16 and work in mutually perpendicular directions, a multilateral shaking of the various match plates in the parting line is attainable which facilitates removal of the mold from the match plate.

Bolts 34 to 39 and 44 (see Fig. 5 for the latter) loosely center the supports or intermediate members 2 and 6, the heating device 7 and the various match plates, and these may, therefore, be removed and exchanged easily and without effort when frame 16 is removed. Because of the conical guide surfaces 43 or 50 formed on frame 16 and ledges 17, the match plates may be precisely located and iixed in position with a minimum of eifort. The insertion of fixed, rigid ledges or crosspieces such as 28, 31, 66, 77 and 78 to aid in forming the requisite number of compartments in the frame for the pattern carrying match plates further increases the preciseness of location of the match plates employed and additionally braces frame 16. Supplementary use of loose ledges or crosspieces then permits unlimited subdivision of the apparatus. It will be seen to be more advantageous, when a change in format becomes necessary, not to remove the various iixed ledges but only to employ as many loose ledges as are required by the different numbers of patterns involved.

The apparatus of the present invention further enables the operator to till small orders for limited numbers of items, which for economic reasons can be manufactured only with wooden or plaster match plates, in conjunction and simultaneously with other orders requiring use of high precision, metallic match plates and patterns or models. Above all, it is possible, in view of the freely determinable match plate division described above, to select and predetermine the sizes of the individual match plates within the molding flask format in direct correspondenc'e toi the-contemplated hourly moldlfproductioi rate.` t

A'furthe'r advantage foffthe present?invention'lresides in 'thefact-that the minimum` size of`the`1molding ii'ask format may be selected, even when match plates ofvaifious types 4of materials, such as plaster, wood, and metal, are employed, lby consideration of the-maximum dimensionsof any patterns to be molded on the particular molding apparatus or device. In this manner a standard molding flask format may `be employed even in the case of patterns to be molded having relatively large dimensions.` This is `possible because changing ofthe-corresponding match plates in the apparatus isextremely #easy requiring a minimum `expenditure of time. Theapparatus according to the present invention, moreover, pfermits combination of match plates of various thicknesses as to form a single `mold preparing device.

Thus it may be seen that there haswbeenprovided, in accordance with the invention, a device for preparing molds, comprisingsupportmeans such as the mold table 1, a plurality of 'match plates having 'individual patterns thereon-and mountedmeither `on` said `-support means or 'on intermediate means removably secured to said support means, and releasable means including the frame 16 and ledges 17 adapted to be connected to said support means and having a portion engageable with rim portions of the upper surface of at least some of said match plates, whereby said match plates are xedly retained on said support means upon connection of said releasable means between said support means and said match plates.

Various changes and modiiications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and it is intended that such obvious changes and rnodications be embraced by the annexed claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. A foundry mold assembly comprising a mold table, mold support means arranged for attachment to said mold table and for removal therefrom, means for centering said support means on said mold table, match plate means terminating in outer edges and held by said support means, respective pattern means mounted on said match plate means and spaced from the outer edges of the latter, respectively, a mold frame encompassing at least partly said mold support means :and carried by said mold table, clamping ledges located adjacent predetermined outer edgm of said match plate means to divide said mold frame into compartmental sections and to position said match plate mean-s relative to each other Within said mold frame, a mold iiask connectable with said mold frame for location thereabove, and interengageable means located at the periphery of said mold frame and said mold flask, respectively, for connecting same with each other and with said clamping ledges and said match plate means located intermediate said mold frame and said mold ask, whereby said match plate means and said pattern means thereon may interchangeably be assembled and disassembled Within said mold frame.

2. A foundry mold assembly comprising a mold table, a plurality of match plate means terminating in outer edges and spaced from said mold table, to thereby level all said plate means, respective pattern means mounted on said match plate means and spaced from the outer edges of the latter, respectively, a mold frame encompassing said match plate means and supported by said mold table, clamping edges located adjacent predetermined outer edges of said match plate means to position said match plate means relative to each other Within said mold frame, a mold liask connectable with and for location above said mold frame, and interengageable means located at the periphery of said mold frame and of said mold iiask, respectively, for connecting same with each other and with said clamping ledges and said match plate means located intermediate said mold frame ""7 and; said mold, asl, wherebyv said-matchplate means with said pattern means thereon may be interchange- .abl'y assembled and disassembled within said mold, frame.

y*3. -A-ldevice for-producing foundry molds, comprising a moldtable, a plurality of sectional match plates mounted on said mdld table, each of said match plates .having at least one pattern on one side thereof sur- -`rounded by rim portions, and releasable means adapted for connection with said sectional match plates and said mold table, said releasable means encompassing said sec- 10 1,054,294 HopkinsA Feb. 25, 1913 15 ModunMtals; v01. vn, issue 2, page ss, March 1951.

VFoundry Trade Joumal; voltA 90, page `590, issue1813, May31,1951.v -V Y 'y mwa-M- 

